Washburn AB40VS Electro Acoustic Bass Guitar V Sunburst, (Used)

The Washburn AB40VS Electro Acoustic Bass Guitar in V Sunburst is a distinctive acoustic bass designed for players who want a comfortable, thin-bodied electro-acoustic bass with stage and studio practicality. With its arched spruce top, arched maple back and sides, slotted soundhole design and 34" scale length, it offers a strong balance of acoustic character, plugged-in usability and familiar bass feel.

This pre-owned example is listed in Very Good condition, meaning it shows some cosmetic wear consistent with careful previous ownership while remaining fully functional and ready to play.

With no case included, this is a strong choice for bassists looking for a versatile electro-acoustic bass for home use, acoustic sessions, recording, rehearsal, unplugged writing and amplified performance.

At A Glance

Key Detail	Information
Brand	Washburn
Model	AB40VS
Series	Acoustic Basses
Finish	V Sunburst / Vintage Sunburst
Type	Electro-Acoustic Bass Guitar
Body Shape	Cutaway with Slotted Soundhole
Top	Arched Spruce
Back & Sides	Arched Maple
Neck	5-Piece Maple/Mahogany
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Frets	24 Frets
Scale Length	34"
Electronics	Custom Piezo Pickup
Tuners	Grover Tuners
Condition	Pre-Owned, Very Good Condition
Main Appeal	Thin-bodied electro-acoustic bass with reduced-feedback soundslot design
Best For	Acoustic sessions, recording, rehearsal, live acoustic sets, home playing and bassists wanting unplugged flexibility

Condition Overview

Very Good Condition

This Washburn AB40VS Electro Acoustic Bass Guitar is in Very Good condition. This means it shows some cosmetic wear consistent with careful previous ownership, but remains fully functional and ready to play.

Very Good condition is ideal for players who want a clean and dependable pre-owned bass with normal signs of careful use.

What’s Included?

✔ Washburn AB40VS Electro Acoustic Bass Guitar V Sunburst

✘ No Case Included
✘ No Additional Accessories Included

Condition Notes

This bass shows light signs of previous use such as small marks, light surface scratches or minor handling wear consistent with Very Good condition.

No faults, repairs or modifications have been supplied for this listing. The bass has been checked for playability and functionality before sale.

Fair Deal Inspection & Assessment

This pre-owned Washburn AB40VS has been inspected and assessed by the Fair Deal Music team before being offered for sale.

Our checks include:

• Body inspected
• Arched spruce top checked
• Arched maple back and sides checked
• Neck condition assessed
• Frets inspected
• Rosewood fingerboard checked
• Bridge checked
• Nut and saddle checked
• Tuners checked
• String height assessed
• Acoustic response checked
• Piezo pickup output tested
• Output jack tested
• General playability assessed

Service / Setup Work

All pre-owned acoustic bass guitars at Fair Deal Music are set up and checked before leaving the shop.

This Washburn AB40VS has been assessed for playability, with the following checked:

• Action checked
• Neck relief checked
• Frets inspected
• Tuning stability checked
• Hardware checked
• Electronics tested
• Acoustic response assessed
• Overall playing comfort checked

Please note that acoustic bass guitar setup can sometimes shift slightly during delivery due to changes in temperature and humidity. We take this into account during our checks, but wood can naturally move in transit.

Why Choose The Washburn AB40VS Electro Acoustic Bass?

Thin-Bodied Acoustic Bass Design

The Washburn AB40VS is designed with a thinner body than many traditional acoustic bass guitars, making it comfortable to hold and easier to manage for longer playing sessions.

Arched Spruce And Maple Construction

The arched spruce top and arched maple back and sides help produce a balanced, full acoustic bass voice with clarity and projection. This makes the AB40VS a useful option for players who want acoustic flavour without moving too far away from familiar bass response.

Slotted Soundhole Design

The AB40VS uses a distinctive slotted soundhole design, helping give the bass its unique visual identity while also helping reduce the feedback issues often associated with electro-acoustic crossover instruments.

Full 34" Bass Scale

The 34" scale length gives the instrument a familiar feel for electric bass players. This makes it easier to move between a standard electric bass and the AB40VS without a major adjustment in playing position or fret spacing.

Custom Piezo Pickup

The built-in custom piezo pickup allows the bass to be amplified for live performance, recording or rehearsal. This makes it more practical than a purely acoustic bass, especially in band or stage environments.

Grover Tuners

Grover tuners add dependable tuning stability and a quality hardware feel, helping keep the bass consistent during practice, recording and performance.

Great For Acoustic Sessions

The AB40VS is ideal for acoustic sets, singer-songwriter arrangements, unplugged rehearsals and recording situations where a more natural bass texture is needed.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

Washburn AB40VS vs Standard Electric Bass

A standard electric bass is usually louder, more focused and better suited to full band electric settings. The Washburn AB40VS offers a more acoustic voice and is better suited to unplugged sessions, acoustic arrangements and natural bass textures.

Washburn AB40VS vs Traditional Acoustic Bass

Many acoustic basses have deeper bodies and can feel bulkier. The AB40VS offers a thinner, more manageable format while still giving players electro-acoustic bass functionality.

Washburn AB40VS vs Short-Scale Acoustic Bass

A short-scale acoustic bass can be easier to handle, but the AB40VS gives electric bass players a familiar 34" scale length and full-sized bass feel.

Washburn AB40VS vs Upright Bass

An upright bass offers a completely different playing experience and sound. The AB40VS is better for bassists who want acoustic-style warmth while keeping the familiar fretted bass guitar format.

Who Is It For?

Acoustic Bass Players

This is ideal for bassists who want a practical electro-acoustic bass for unplugged playing, acoustic sets and natural-sounding bass parts.

Electric Bassists Wanting Acoustic Texture

The 34" scale length makes it approachable for electric bass players who want to add an acoustic-style bass voice to their setup.

Singer-Songwriter And Folk Musicians

The AB40VS works well in acoustic arrangements where a standard electric bass might feel too direct or modern.

Recording Musicians

The acoustic character and piezo pickup make this bass useful for adding a different texture in studio recordings.

Live Acoustic Performers

The electro-acoustic format makes it practical for stage use with an acoustic amp, bass amp, PA system or DI setup.

Suitable Genres And Uses

This Washburn AB40VS Electro Acoustic Bass is well suited to:

• Acoustic sessions
• Singer-songwriter performance
• Folk
• Country
• Americana
• Blues
• Pop
• Worship music
• Acoustic rock
• Studio recording
• Live acoustic sets
• Rehearsals
• Home playing
• Unplugged writing sessions
• Bassists wanting acoustic texture with plugged-in flexibility

Educational Section: Why Choose An Electro-Acoustic Bass?

An electro-acoustic bass gives players a different feel and sound from a standard electric bass. It offers a more natural, airy and organic tone, making it especially useful for acoustic arrangements, stripped-back performances and recordings where a softer bass texture is needed.

Unlike a purely acoustic bass, an electro-acoustic bass can be plugged into an amplifier, PA system or recording setup. This makes it far more practical for live use, because acoustic bass guitars often need amplification to sit properly in a mix.

The Washburn AB40VS is especially useful because it combines a manageable thin-bodied design with a full 34" scale length and built-in pickup system, giving bassists a familiar playing feel with a more acoustic tonal character.

Looking for advice on choosing the right acoustic bass, electro-acoustic bass or pre-owned bass guitar? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in-store.

Story & Context: Washburn Acoustic Basses

Washburn has a long history of building acoustic instruments, and its acoustic basses have been popular with players who want a practical alternative to both electric bass and larger acoustic instruments. The AB-series basses are designed to give bassists a familiar guitar-style format while adding acoustic resonance and plugged-in flexibility.

The AB40VS stands out thanks to its arched body construction, slotted soundhole design and full-scale bass feel. It is a useful instrument for players who want acoustic bass character without moving to an upright bass or bulky acoustic body.

This Very Good condition example in V Sunburst offers strong used value for players wanting a practical electro-acoustic bass with distinctive looks and stage-ready potential.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Product Type	Electro-Acoustic Bass Guitar
Brand	Washburn
Model	AB40VS / AB40VSK
Series	Acoustic Basses
Finish	V Sunburst / Vintage Sunburst
Body Shape	Cutaway with Slotted Soundhole
Top	Arched Spruce
Back	Arched Maple
Sides	Arched Maple
Finish Type	Gloss Finish
Bracing	Quarter Sawn Sitka Spruce Bracing
Neck Material	Mahogany
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Frets	24 Frets
Inlays	Dot Inlays
Nut	Graphite
Nut Width	40mm
Scale Length	34"
Pickup System	Custom Piezo Pickup
Tuners	Grover Tuners
String Configuration	4-String Bass
Condition	Pre-Owned, Very Good Condition

Power Requirements

For unplugged acoustic use, no power supply is required. For amplified use, connect the bass using a standard 1/4" instrument cable to a suitable bass amplifier, acoustic amplifier, PA system, DI box or audio interface.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The Washburn AB40VS Electro Acoustic Bass Guitar in V Sunburst is a practical and distinctive choice for bassists who want acoustic character with plugged-in flexibility. Its thin-bodied design, arched spruce and maple construction, slotted soundhole, 34" scale length and custom piezo pickup make it a strong option for acoustic sessions, recording, live performance and home playing.

This Very Good condition example offers excellent used value for players wanting an electro-acoustic bass with comfort, character and stage-friendly usability.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

Choosing Fair Deal Music means buying from a passionate team of musicians who genuinely understand the products we sell. Whether you're purchasing your first instrument, upgrading your current setup or searching for something special, we're here to help you make the right choice with friendly advice and expert support.

When you shop with Fair Deal Music, you can buy with confidence thanks to:

Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians
Carefully checked new, used, pre-owned and ex-display equipment
Competitive prices on leading music brands
Secure UK-wide delivery
Flexible finance options available (subject to status)
Friendly support before and after your purchase
A trusted independent UK music retailer with decades of experience

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading? Your next piece of gear could cost less than you think.

We're always happy to consider part exchanges and trade-ins on a wide range of musical instruments and equipment. Whether you're looking to upgrade your guitar, keyboard, amplifier, drum kit or studio gear, your existing equipment could help reduce the cost of your next purchase.

Simply get in touch with our team for a no-obligation valuation, and we'll be happy to discuss the options available.

It's an easy way to unlock the value of the gear you no longer use while making your next instrument even more affordable.

FAQ

What condition is this Washburn AB40VS in?

This bass is listed in Very Good condition, meaning it shows light signs of previous use while remaining fully functional.

Does this bass come with a case?

No. This Washburn AB40VS does not include a case.

Is this an acoustic or electric bass?

It is an electro-acoustic bass, meaning it can be played acoustically or plugged in for amplified use.

What finish is this bass?

This model is finished in V Sunburst, also referred to as Vintage Sunburst.

What scale length does it have?

The Washburn AB40VS has a 34" scale length, giving it a familiar full-scale bass feel.

What pickup system does it use?

It uses a custom piezo pickup system for amplified electro-acoustic bass sounds.

Is this suitable for live performance?

Yes. The electro-acoustic format makes it suitable for live performance through a bass amp, acoustic amp, PA system or DI setup.

Is it suitable for acoustic sessions?

Yes. The thin-bodied acoustic bass design makes it a strong option for acoustic sets, unplugged rehearsals and singer-songwriter arrangements.

What styles does it suit?

It suits acoustic rock, folk, country, Americana, blues, pop, worship music, singer-songwriter performance, recording and live acoustic work.

Can I try this bass in-store?

Fair Deal Music has a large Birmingham showroom, and our team can offer advice on Washburn acoustic basses, electro-acoustic bass guitars and pre-owned bass options.